Arizona Diamondbacks recall John Hester from minors to back up Chris Snyder

The Diamondbacks recalled the catcher to back up new starter Chris Snyder now that Montero is on the disabled list because of a sprained right knee that will require surgery for a torn meniscus.

"It's been a wild week," said Hester, who arrived at Chase Field about 90 minutes before the start of Sunday's series finale against the Pirates. "I was just getting settled into Reno and starting the season there, and then I get the call that I'm coming back here."

Hester made a memorable major-league debut Aug. 28 at Chase Field against the Astros, becoming the 101st player to hit a homer in his first big-league at-bat.

He appeared in 15 games for the Diamondbacks and hopes that experience, though brief, will serve him well while Montero is sidelined. Hester was a Pacific Coast League postseason All-Star last year after batting .328 with nine homers and 66 RBIs. In two games there this season, he had a home run and two RBIs.

"Obviously it's very exciting to be here," he said. "Being in the big leagues is a great thing. It's my goal as a player. I wish it was under better circumstances, though. You don't wish an injury upon anybody, especially a player like Miggy.

"I know I still have a lot to learn, but I feel comfortable up here. . . . When I get a chance to play, I'll take advantage of it."

Streaky 'pen

The Diamondbacks' bullpen took a 10-inning scoreless streak into Sunday's game, going without a blemish since Chad Qualls allowed a homer in the ninth inning Tuesday to San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez.

Some roles still are being defined, but the relievers are settling into spots and many of them are interchangeable, manager A.J. Hinch said.

Veterans such as Bob Howry and Aaron Heilman were brought in to provide stability, but a good start has been especially important for younger pitchers such as Esmerling Vasquez, Leo Rosales and left-hander Jordan Norberto.

"That's where the confidence really comes up big for the younger guys," Howry said. "If you get off to a rough start, sometimes that doubt starts to creep in. But if you get off to a strong start, you realize, 'You know what? I'm all right. I'm good.' And you just go."

That meant the homer went from being the seventh-longest ever hit by a Diamondbacks player to the 31st-longest. Eleven of Reynolds' 41 career homers at Chase Field, however, rank among the 36 longest hit there by an Arizona player.

D-Backs update: Ian Kennedy didn't get a decision in his Diamondbacks debut, but he did record 8 strikeouts over 5 innings and looked to be in control of all 4 of his pitches. Arizona is banking on him being a reliable No. 3 starter in the rotation until the return of Brandon Webb, who was to resume a throwing program Monday by playing catch.

Dodgers update: The Dodgers dropped 2 of 3 games in Pittsburgh to open the season, then lost 2 of 3 in Florida over the weekend against the Marlins. 3B Casey Blake (.375) and OF Matt Kemp (7 RBIs, hitting .321) lead the offense, which has hit only 3 home runs. Kershaw, the potential future staff ace of the Dodgers, made one start last season against the Diamondbacks and allowed 4 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings with 4 walks and 9 strikeouts. He finished the season 8-8 overall with a 2.49 ERA. With runners in scoring position, opponents hit just .188 against him last season in 128 total at-bats.

When there is a conflict between a Phoenix Coyotes playoff game and a previously scheduled Diamondbacks telecast on Fox Sports Arizona, the Diamondbacks games will move to an alternate channel or broadcast time.
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